Her oldest son, Eric G. Johnson, told the newspaper that his trailblazing mother was ‘battling a combination of medical conditions stemming from a 2005 accident that sent her through five back surgeries.”

Her husband George added that he lost “the love of his life.”

“I have lost a lifelong friend and partner and the love of my life,” he said in a statement. “Joan will be greatly missed by her family and all of those who have come to know her.”

In 1954, Johnson and her husband George Johnson started their haircare line on the city’s South Side with a $250 investment and grew their business from $4 million in sales in 1967 to $40 million in 1976, the Sun-Times noted. Their company was one of the nation’s largest African-American owned in history.

In addition, Johnson gave back her community and amplified other African-American businesses and ventures including making sure that Johnson Hair Company was one of the first sponsors of the iconic dance show Soul Train and became an integral part of the marketing of the show in the 70s. Johnson also served as a trustee of Spelman College and provided an annual scholarship for a select set of the HBCU’s students each year.

For her son, his mother was a “pioneer.

“For having such a string of ‘firsts’ and being comfortable in that environment, I look at my mother as a pioneer,” Eric Johnson said. “She and my father had no provided path. They created a path where there was none.”

Adding, “Because of her, people have been able to accomplish things they maybe didn’t think they could, and they knew all the things they had to strive for.”

“As [the] matriarch of the family, she was a magnet who inspired, consoled and advised people. That’s the role she’s always played in this family from me as a child right down to her great-grandchildren.”

Black Twitter Wants To Know How Queen Latifah's Hair Stays So Laid

If there are constants in this world it's that 1.) Former First Lady Michelle Obama's fashion is going to shut everything down and 2.) anytime Queen Latifah blesses us mere mortals with her presence, her hair is ALWAYS going to be on-point.
The latter is what we all witnessed at the 2019 VMA's on Monday night when the "Ladies First" rapper basically shut the red carpet down with her flawless, not a fly-away in sight, honey brown tresses that were LAID TO THE GAWDS!
Take a look at this magic for yourself. It's like perfectly moisturized, without being too greasy and giving us body, length, smooth edges, and seamlessly pressed roots...MINUS A RELAXER!
Giving us bundles for days:
[caption id="attachment_3056123" align="alignleft" width="810"] Source: Dia Dipasupil / Getty[/caption]
Obviously, this type of hair sorcery isn't a one-time deal. Just look at her in 2017 at BET's 2017 American Black Film Festival Honors Award with razor blunt ends THAT ARE EVEN LAYERED!!!
BOOYAH!
[caption id="attachment_2958184" align="alignleft" width="804"] Source: Frazer Harrison / Getty[/caption]
Or this perfectly slicked back up-do at the 2016 Gracie Awards. Not a cowlick to be seen!
[caption id="attachment_2908816" align="alignleft" width="805"] Source: Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty[/caption]
Or at the 2016 VH1 Hip-Hop Honors. This bob is giving us life! Not to mention how the blonde in the front is utter perfection. And what frizz? What humidity? All we see is sleek.
HOW IS THIS EVEN POSSIBLE???
[caption id="attachment_2895503" align="alignleft" width="807"] Source: Jim Spellman / Getty[/caption]
Or this:
[caption id="attachment_2856397" align="alignleft" width="778"] Source: Amanda Edwards / Getty[/caption]
This too:
[caption id="attachment_2978702" align="alignleft" width="764"] Source: Kevin Tachman / Getty[/caption]
Damn...
[caption id="attachment_2785143" align="alignleft" width="732"] Source: Brendan Hoffman / Stringer / Getty[/caption]
Even when she was playing Kadijah on Living Single in the 90s she was always the embodiment of #HairGoals:
[caption id="attachment_2974413" align="alignleft" width="779"] Source: Deborah Feingold / Getty[/caption]
We weren't the only ones beside ourselves with the 49-year-old's luxurious mane. Black Twitter had plenty of thoughts, praise, and awe for the Queen's crown and glory.
Here's the best of the best: